Alfonso offered a slight wave of the hand as he drifted off towards the Brawler and her few hanger ons. It seemed her performance had peaked his curiosity. Somehow, he seemed able to introduce himself and strike conversation up as Alessandro approached the hawk nosed man with the casual ease of a seasoned party goer.

The suited man spared him a glance of acknowledgement for an instant as he glanced down and checked a small notebook bound in some unusually reflective material that appeared neither metal, leather or fabric. Eventually, he deposited it in his jacket pocket with another glance towards Alessandro as he spoke. The mention of the fight earning a thoughtful working of the man's mouth before he offered a portion of his thoughts.

"Evening. I've seen far tamer bouts. The Maestros seemed to do good work with the young lady but I suspect she got a little over confident." he offered in a voice that was deep but still nasally. Almost unpleasantly so but never quite stepping over that line.

"Yes. I understand that its not common for young hotheads in the Republic to settle disputes with blades", Alessandro replies as his eyes follow the peculiar notebook into its pocket. "An interesting way of handling it."

While Alessandro's words are polite there is a subtle tone of disbelief at how such a system could possibly work. "But you are right about the Brawler. She was eager to land a killing blow and the master took advantage and earned a tie."

"Not without a stay in prison." the Man replied with a slight shrug of shoulders as to whether or not such a thing was a more civil solution then merely allowing me to defend their virtue, honour, and opinions with open arms. His attention briefly spared to Alessandro once more with polite interest and little more as their conversation seemed to meander and find no purpose.

"Men and women with something to prove are always the ones you ought to watch. Consequences start to mean very little to them if it gets their point across." the Man concluded with perhaps a certain insight that cut close to home as he returned to the two preparing for their next demonstration. The Brawler's stance shifting just so to imply a different intent and approach. The seasoned master, meanwhile, retained all the hallmarks of his preferred style and poise.

Alessandro sighs as his patience runs out, "Signore, I find this verbal sparring tiresome when a straightforward approach might work best, don't you agree?"

"To be plain your trade mission is here for certain materials and I can supply those materials cheaper then anyone else you have spoken too."

"I believe that would be considered a touch in the parlance of duelists then." the suited man replied politely but with a clear undertone of wryness. His expression remained politely composed and expressing calm but detached interest as he regarded Alessandro down the length of his prominent and rodent like nose. The mention of being able to secure the desired mineral wealth earned a slight rose of brows but secured little more reaction than that as he spoke again.

"Oh? And who, precisely, do you represent to be able to make such a boast? What guild, association, house or union? You'll beg my pardon for being somewhat incredulous but we aren't exactly short on options given the strength of our own industrial base." he replied calmly, precisely, and with an expectation of a clear answer. It was hardly the stage Alessandro was hoping for but it was an opening act at the very least from which an opportunity could be forced open.

Alessandro kept a pleasant mien as he responded, though his heart thumped with excitement at the thought of wedging in a bid,"The House of da Vigo though I suggest you not let whispers sway you from an opportunity."

"As an example of what I can do for you... Since you are a member of your trade commission I assume you are familiar with cazzo di cristalli magici, a focusing crystal used in some low magic traditions and heavily refined by our good maestros for their automail mechanisms. The Bright Republic has earned some ire from our local artisans by buying up available stocks in bulk, raising prices for them as well since the cazzo di cristalli magici is not especially common. However its use for high sorcery is rather trickier since the material needs special refinement and extremely precise machining. The kind that the Former Empires were once capable of in bulk for their great theurgic works. Very few can replicate such deeds in these fallen days."

He pauses in his spiel to take stock of the man's interest or lack of it. Seeing he is straining the man's patience he ends with, "Fortunately my house can perform machining of the focusing crystals equal to anything from the Former Empires and in bulk. A considerable benefit for a customer looking to reduce costs and effort in securing the refined cazzo di cristalli magici for things like your etheric nodes."

The man listened but the mystery was whether such was out of interest or merely more of the polite detachment that he had previously demonstrated so excellently. His posture shifted as he clasped hands in front of him and considered with a slight glance upwards.

"And would you be open to a provisional period were we to attempt a contract? A trial, as it were, to demonstrate ability and thus worth of sustained commerce? You understand many can come and promise the heavens but when it comes to matters such as this... We don't like to play games. The Nodes make our way of life possible." He concluded quietly with some consideration of Alessandro, with another glance stolen towards the small note book as they continued to speak. There was opportunity but The Republic was known to expect results from those that provided them with the means to fuel their economy and manufactured exports.

"As you wish within the bounds of custom and law, Signore...?", Alessandro inquires. It was one thing to perk a flunky's interest to draw his master's attention but eventually he would have to talk with his superiors.

"Jenkins. Signore Da Vigo." the man replied calmly with a perfunctory nod of the head as he glanced towards the more distinguished core of their small galaxy of dignitaries, aides, and attendants. The very guests of honour that Alessandro now sought the approval and business of. Of course, it all relied entirely upon the producing of results else he would find himself swiftly black listed as impostor and waste of time.

"Signore Jenkins", says Alessandro as he follows the man's gaze. Reaching beneath his cloak the young nobleman draws forth a beautiful box composed of multi-hued glass with the da Vigo crest prominent in red upon its lid. Upon the lid is a fanciful interpretation of the capital city of Bright's skyline. He pushes it into the man's hands,"A sample of the lenses we discussed. I would add that a shipment could be sent tonight if you wished, along with some other rare earths. Metals will require a bit more time. I hope you bring this to your director's attention tonight. This is an absolutely golden opportunity for both of us, don't you thing? Its worthy of your trade missions full attention."

"I shall have it appraised and then bring it to the Ambassador's attention. Should we wish to proceed, one of our gentlemen will be in touch to make arrangements. I assume there's a man of yours we can ask after should you not be available?" Jenkins replied with some quiet consideration of the box handed to him. Fingers playing lightly over the glass before opening to glimpse the contents and closing the lid just as delicately. Prolonged exposure outside of a stable enclosure could degrade the quality of the crystal but a quick glimpse was a standard custom of such interactions as this.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:39, Sat 10 Feb 2018.

"You can contact the da Vigo estate through my man Signore Leobardo", Alessandro replies with a nod as he withdraws a card and adds it to Jenkin's hand. "I look forward to future dealings, Signore Jenkins. This can be profitable for both my House and your trade mission."

Alessandro gives a polite bow as both men go their way. It had been satisfactory as far as it went. Assuming the man was half way competent he would recognize the good fortune he had stumbled upon. In any case the Bright delegation wasn't the only iron in the fire.

He felt a certain tension leave his body as he turned to the party. Maybe it was time to enjoy himself now that first contact had been made. Swirling his now empty wine cup he snags a fresh one off a passing tray and reenters the swirl of bodies.

He hadn't checked on his 'charge' in a while. Time to see what the illustrious Alessia Rivera is up too.

It was hardly difficult to find the Spoiled Lady as she was, as ever, surrounded by the great and good of her particular social level. As many of them women as the varied men of the nobility. The conversation animate but defined by the particular manners of 'high society' as Vissio. Gwyndolin, meanwhile, lingered eternally patient a mere three strides away... A distance most duelists and professional body guards might deem too far for the defense of their charge but Alessandro had seen the woman in motion.

She was as lightening when she sensed a problem and had been razor quick to put an end to it before it could be anything more than an upsetting bit of blood on an otherwise spotless evening. The question remained as to whom he approached or if he simply lingered among those presently deemed his peers and equals.

Alessandro's easy walk became more professional as he wended his way through the celebrants toward Gywndolin. A glance at the spiraling glass water clock their hosts were so proud of showed the hour. Not only was the clock three minutes and twenty-two seconds off it was about time to relieve the senior bodyguard for a spell.

Alessandro empties his winecup and sets the glass upon a passing servant's tray. Straightening his vest he moves alongside Gwyndion while sharp eyes informed him of their charge's position.

"Feel free to take a walk, Gwyndion. I'll keep an eye on things". suggests the young man though he knew the dedicated woman would just as likely stay at her post. "We've got long hours ahead of us yet."

"A safe bet on that fact... Keep eyes on the Blond. The boy has ambitions to him that aren't being made with his head." the Personal Guard of the Lady Rivera said with a quiet tone and a nod towards the gentleman in question. Striking in the way of Vissio's nobility, he had the added distinction of seeming to be one cut from the stuff of the Republic rather than of the native sons and daughters. His pale complexion and light hair a dead give away when contrasted against the olive skin and dark hair of the other nobility.

That he was almost scandalously close to the Lady Rivera only served to accentuate the point. As long as it didn't cross that line of discretion, all was well... but if it did well one blade or another would need to step in.

Alessandro observed the dandy with foreign sensibilities in court dress and nodded. A grin spreads across his face which he quickly snuffs out in this company. "I'll make sure the little bastard does nothing our little mistress doesn't want."

It was hard to hide his good mood from Gwyndolin as they conversed. "I wonder if that blond hair is dye..."

"If you can suss out what she wants, I'll dub it a miracle." Gwyndolin replied with a snort of amusement as she rested a hand on hip and blade. The gesture natural and graceful in the way of the older and disciplined woman. She stretched slightly then in the way of one still refusing to give up any awareness of her surroundings as she quickly scanned the crowd and turned at the waist.

"Doubt it. No roots. Sister used to be fond of doing that to impress." Gwyndolin added in a low whisper that implied such was a family secret. Of a sort.

Alessandro smiles conspiratorially at the mention of Gwyndolin's older sister. "Marriage has settled her down a bit but she still has an interesting predilection for imported hats if not exotically colored hair these days."

Alessandro kept discipline even as they conversed, his eyes roving over the crowd before settling back on their ward,"As for Alessia...you would know her more than I do. Haven't really talked to her since we were children. Probably wants the same thing all of us do: security in our station, prestige, wealth. I suspect she isn't feeling as secure in her father's trust as his heir since her brothers were born."

"She has, and always will be, the family's peacock. She just never had the good graces to realize it was the males putting on the display." Gwyndolin replied with a chuckle and a shrug of her shoulders as fingers traced the hilt and her eyes continued to scan the crowd. Even 'at ease' the older woman never seemed to truly have a chance to relax. It was likely to mean an early grave to stress if not the blades of an irate rake.

"She plays things close to the chest but there's an end game to what she's doing. You don't set fire to bridges like she does without a certain ambition unless you just don't happen to like being alive any more." the woman offered quietly with eyes glancing towards the Lady Rivera once more and then flicking to the blonde haired gentleman a moment later. "And no one is ever as secure as they may seem about the affections or trust of another as they let on. That's just a rule of the Game."

Alessandro nods reluctantly in agreement with Gwyndolin's assessment of Alessia. Whatever his feelings for the stuck-up woman Alessia was intelligent. Wise? That remained to be seen.

"Well...you know how it goes. It's only a good plan if it works. Most trading families husband their reputations and contacts very carefully and for good reason. Whatever Alessia's reasons for, as you say, burning bridges it had better be worth what she is throwing away."

Noticing the extra amount of attention paid to the blond gentleman Alessandro asks with a smile,"What is the blond's story anyway? He seems to have you particularly on edge. Should I perhaps see him on his way? I'm not long for Alessia's entourage anyway so you can always blame the 'brash rake'." 

"New Money and the foolishness that comes along with it." Gwyndolin said simply with a slight curl of lip that illustrated a certain distaste for willful ignorance that she was rather well known for. It made the point well enough that the boy was playing with fire that was going to burn them all the minute he missed his step or a queue in the game that was playing out. Certainly, they all appeared lovely lords and ladies in the prime of their youth... but there was always the Game behind it.

Alessandro turns to the dandy at Gwyndolin's unspecific answer, taking it as permission. The ebb and flow of the little crowd around Alessia sets his timing as he waits for an opportune moment. Soon a temporary space surrounds the belle and her admirer. As the blond raises his wine glass while listening to Alessia Alessandro wills the essence of Earth in it to act.

With a spintering crack the bottom of the wine glass breaks sending red wine cascading down the man's light doublet in a crimson stain. Amidst the stunned silence he steps up to the blonde, a concerned look on his face.

"My good man! This is terrible! We should see to your distress...perhaps the house servants have an extra doublet we can substitute? Come! Let's see to this!"

A friendly sympathetic smile crosses Alessandro's face and an guiding arm seeks to speed the man on his way without provoking the blond.

[Builder of Mountain Peaks to crack the glass, no Effort needed, and using my character's Fact as a fellow dandy to work him away from his target.]

17:03, Today: Alessandro da Vigo rolled 19 using 1d20+4 ((15)).

+10 on the Ability Check to maneuver Blond out of the area of Alessia.

The Man, to his credit, did not seem too put off by the sudden shattering of the glass in his hand and turned just so as to avoid splashing his fellows. A strange gesture of courtesy but it was one tinged by that subtle underlying of cocksure awareness of social protocol that plagued so many that were freshly thrust upon the social scene. Composure failed, just enough, however for a hissed curse to escape and in tandem with the shattering of the glass all this was witnessed by the gathering.

Alessandro's timely self insertion, however, allowed him an out upon which he grasped in the instance.

"Thank you, if you wouldn't mind. Seems I gripped the stem a bit too tightly."

It took only a few minutes for Alessandro to guide the flummoxed noble into the hands of sympathetic servants. A few commiserating words and Alessandro is content to see the man shuffled off into some back room to restore his dignity. The blond was unlikely to be a bother anytime soon as the whirl of the party resumed around him.

He turns back to Alessia and Gwyndolin and makes his way through the little crowd around her. He resumes his position at the Girl's side, hands neatly clasped behind him. A glance at Alessia is fortified by a insolent grin before smoothing away into professionalism.

"That wasn't so hard." he chuckles to Gwyndolin.